(31, 32) Among the Hebronites was Jerijah thechief.--Rather, To the Hebronites there was the head Jeriah (as to the Hebronites, according to their registers, according to families, in the fortieth year of the reign of David, they were sought out; and there were found among them valiant warriors in Jazer-Gilead); and his brethren, sons of might, two thousand seven hundred heads of families: and David the king made them overseers over the Reubenites, &c. The long parenthesis obscures the meaning or these two verses. The general statement is that other Hebronites were charged with the supervision of the land east of Jordan: the parenthesis accounts for the fact.
(31) Jerijah.--1 Chronicles 23:19, "Jeriah." The Hebrew is the same (Y?riyah).
In the fortieth year of the reign of David.--This datum is important as fixing the time of these last regulations of David. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 23:1.) It evidently points to an ancient source.
Jazer of Gilead.--A Merarite city (Joshua 21:39); whereas the Hebronites were Kohathites. Perhaps we should read, "In the cities of Gilead."
(32) Two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers.--Rather, heads of the families, i.e., of single households. Sometimes the Hebrew phrase means heads of father-houses or clans; but it obviously cannot be so here, as the whole number of Levites appointed to be "officers and judges" was only 6,000 (1 Chronicles 23:4). The 2,700 fathers mentioned here, with the 1,700 of 1 Chronicles 26:30, make a total of 4,400. The remaining 1,600 (6,000 minus 4,400) may probably be assigned to Chenaniah (1 Chronicles 26:29). It is strange that the house of Hebron should be twice mentioned (1 Chronicles 26:30-31) and the house of Uzziel not at all (see 1 Chronicles 26:23). Further, of the three great branches of Levi, none but Kohathite houses are named in connexion with "the outward business." The account appears to be incomplete.
Verse 31. - This verse is at first sight obscure; but its purport is to say that the Hebronite family was, in the lust year of David's reign, found at Jazer of Gilead, which seems a Merarite city (Joshua 13:25; Joshua 21:39; Numbers 21:32), and that Jerijah (1 Chronicles 23:19; 1 Chronicles 24:23) was then chief of them. He and his brethren were now appointed to the superintendence of the two tribes and a half eastward of Jordan, while "Hashabiah and his brethren" fulfilled the like duties westward of Jordan The number of those east of Jordan constituted overseers seems large in proportion to those mentioned on the west; but we must bear in mind that the numbers of Chenaniah and their range of sphere are not stated. These will presumably complete the six thousand of 1 Chronicles 23:4. Otherwise we have but to fall back on the conviction that the present account is imperfect as well as brief.
26:1-32 The offices of the Levites. - The porters and treasurers of the temple, had occasion for strength and valour to oppose those who wrongly attempted to enter the sanctuary, and to guard the sacred treasures. Much was expended daily upon the altar; flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, beside the lamps; quantities of these were kept beforehand, besides the sacred vestments and utensils. These were the treasures of the house of God. These treasures typified the plenty there is in our heavenly Father's house, enough and to spare. From those sacred treasuries, the unsearchable riches of Christ, all our wants are supplied; and receiving from his fulness, we must give him the glory, and endeavour to dispose of our abilities and substance according to his will. We have an account of those employed as officers and judges. The magistracy is an ordinance of God for the good of the church, as truly as the ministry, and must not be neglected. None of the Levites who were employed in the service of the sanctuary, none of the singers or porters, were concerned in this outward business; one duty was enough to engage the whole man. Wisdom, courage, strength of faith, holy affections, and constancy of mind in doing our duty, are requisite or useful for every station.
Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites,.... The posterity of Hebron, the son of Kohath:
according to the generations of his fathers; a principal man in the families that descended from his ancestors:
in the fortieth year of the reign of David; which was the last year of his reign, in which year all the above things were done; the distribution of the priests into their classes and courses, and so of the Levites, singers, and porters; as well as the appointment of those several judges and officers employed in divers parts of the land: and particularly in this year those
Hebronites were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour, at Jazer of Gilead; a city on the other side Jordan, which belonged to the tribe of Gad, see Numbers 21:32.
(31) Jerijah.--1 Chronicles 23:19, "Jeriah." The Hebrew is the same (Y?riyah).
In the fortieth year of the reign of David.--This datum is important as fixing the time of these last regulations of David. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 23:1.) It evidently points to an ancient source.
Jazer of Gilead.--A Merarite city (Joshua 21:39); whereas the Hebronites were Kohathites. Perhaps we should read, "In the cities of Gilead."
(32) Two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers.--Rather, heads of the families, i.e., of single households. Sometimes the Hebrew phrase means heads of father-houses or clans; but it obviously cannot be so here, as the whole number of Levites appointed to be "officers and judges" was only 6,000 (1 Chronicles 23:4). The 2,700 fathers mentioned here, with the 1,700 of 1 Chronicles 26:30, make a total of 4,400. The remaining 1,600 (6,000 minus 4,400) may probably be assigned to Chenaniah (1 Chronicles 26:29). It is strange that the house of Hebron should be twice mentioned (1 Chronicles 26:30-31) and the house of Uzziel not at all (see 1 Chronicles 26:23). Further, of the three great branches of Levi, none but Kohathite houses are named in connexion with "the outward business." The account appears to be incomplete.
according to the generations of his fathers; a principal man in the families that descended from his ancestors:
in the fortieth year of the reign of David; which was the last year of his reign, in which year all the above things were done; the distribution of the priests into their classes and courses, and so of the Levites, singers, and porters; as well as the appointment of those several judges and officers employed in divers parts of the land: and particularly in this year those
Hebronites were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour, at Jazer of Gilead; a city on the other side Jordan, which belonged to the tribe of Gad, see Numbers 21:32.